Ice-skating rinks in NYC

Ice-skating rinks in NYC

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  Photograph: Citi Pond at Bryant Park

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• Photograph: Andrew Fladeboe63.ft.rockefellercenterrink.01.jpg611442
• Photograph: Andrew Fladeboe63.ft.wollmanrink.03.jpg611453
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  Photograph:Lindsay Maclean Taylor842.fob.standardicerink84205.jpg1973994

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Photograph: Citi Pond at Bryant Park

Sadly, Battery Park Ice probably won't be back and Brooklyn's Kate Wollman Rink is closed for the season due to renovations. But there are still plenty of places where you can get your glide on.

Manhattan

FREE  Citi Pond at Bryant Park
Don’t get too excited: The admission may be free, but you gotta pay $14 to rent skates (or BYO). On the upside: The complex holds 500 people, holiday shops, an indoor pavilion and the Canadian-themed lounge Celsius, which conveniently offers a full children's menu and plenty of hot chocolate. Open through Feb 26; Sun–Thu 8am–10pm; Fri, Sat 8am–midnight. W 40th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-661-6640, thepondatbryantpark.com). Skate rental $14.

The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center
The most famous of rinks returns for its 74th season, and it’s still as cramped as ever. Unless you plan on going early in the morning or between 9am and noon on Thanksgiving, expect a one- to two-hour wait. Through April 10. Hours and admission prices vary; see website for information. Rockefeller Plaza between 49th and 50th Sts (212-332-7654, therinkatrockcenter.com). Skate rental: $10.

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
This athletic megacomplex offers year-round skating, two NHL-size rinks and classes galore. If you’re looking for holiday accoutrements, head elsewhere. Open year-round. Check website for holiday schedule. Mon, Fri 1:30–5:20pm; Tue, Thu 3–5:20pm; Sat, Sun 1–3:50pm. Chelsea Piers (Pier 61), 23rd St at Hudson River (212-336-6100, chelseapiers.com). $13.50, children under 13 $11, skate rental $8.

Trump Lasker Skating Rink
This rink is less crowded than Wollman, but go for the hockey: Competitive leagues for Gretzky wanna-bes practice here daily. If your tot has a winter birthday, this spot also offers party packages. Opens October 29 through March. Hours vary, check website for full schedule. Central Park, enter at 110th St and Lenox Ave (917-492-3856, wollmanskatingrink.com). $6.75, children under 13 $3.75, seniors $2.25, skate rental $6.00.

Trump Wollman Rink
Skating newbies can sign up for the learn-to-skate program—it’s the largest in the country. But no matter what your child’s skill level, there’s nothing quite like skating in the middle of our city’s most beautiful park. Opens October 24 through Apr 3. Mon, Tue 10am–2:30pm; Wed, Thu 10am–10pm; Fri, Sat 10am–11pm; Sun 10am–9pm. Central Park, enter at Sixth Ave and 59th St (212-439-6900, wollmanskatingrink.com). Mon-Thu $10.75, children under 12 $5.75, Fri-Sun $16, children under 12 $6, Skate rental $6.75, $5 spectator fee.

Riverbank State Park
Located about 85 blocks north of the midtown mayhem, the covered rink here—part of a 28-acre recreational facility—provides some of the least-crowded weekend skating in Manhattan. Bonus: Families celebrating birthdays can reserve tables for after-skate cake and ice cream. Opens in November. Riverside Dr at 145th St (212-694-3600, nysparks.state.ny.us/parks). $5, children under 11 $3, skate rental $6.

Brooklyn

Abe Stark Rink
This 40-year-old venue began its life as the Ravenhall Baths, a saltwater swimming pool that was quite the Coney Island hot spot in its day. It was destroyed by a fire in 1963, after which the space was converted into a destination for the heavily sweatered and uncoordinated. Arrive at the rink promptly at 1pm when it opens; the ice fills fast and it closes at 4pm. Seasonal. Sat, Sun 1–4pm. Coney Island Boardwalk at W 19th St, Coney Island, Brooklyn (718-946-6536, nycgovparks.org). $8, skate rental $4.50.

Aviator Sports
Two rinks, sized to NHL regulations, are Brooklyn’s answer to Chelsea Piers. Competitive types can participate in figure skating or hockey leagues, but there’s also public skating, so go during the week if you want to avoid hormonally charged adolescents on blades. Open year-round. Mon-Tues 11am–4:30pm; Weds–Thu 11am–3:50pm; Fri 11am–4:30pm, 7–11pm; Sat 2–6:45pm, 7–11pm; Sun noon-5pm. Floyd Bennett Field, 3159 Flatbush Ave south of the Belt Pkwy, Brooklyn (718-758-7500, aviatorsports.com). $9, children 12 and under $7, skate rental $5.

Queens

City Ice Pavilion
The five boroughs' only rooftop rink stretches an NHL–size 85 x 200 feet under a weatherproof air dome (if it's good enough for Canadians, it's good enough for the wussy New York winter). Stop by mid-afternoon during the week, or between noon and 2pm or so on the weekends. At other times, the rink is devoted to skating lessons, hockey practice and private parties. Open year-round. Mon 1:30-4:50 pm, Tues and Thu 1:30-3:50, Weds noon-3:40pm; Friday 4-5:20pm;  47-32 32nd Pl between 47th and 48th Aves (718-706-6667, cityicepavilion.com). Mon–Fri $5, Sat–Sun $8, skate rental $5.

World Ice Arena
Although this rink offers hockey programs and private lessons, families can enjoy free-skate sessions every day of the week. World Ice also hosts inexpensive birthday parties; the fee (just $20 per child) includes skate rental, pizza and several hours of ice time. Open year-round. See website for winter break schedule. Mon 1:30–4:50pm; Tue, Thu 1:30–3:20pm; Wed noon–3:40pm; Fri 4–5:20pm; Sat noon–2:50pm, 7:40–9:50pm; Sun noon–2:50pm. Van Wyck Expwy at Avery Ave, Flushing, Queens (718-760-9001, worldice.com). Weekdays $5, weekends and holidays $8, skate rental $5.

Staten Island

Staten Island War Memorial Ice Skating Rink
We know what you’re thinking: Yeah freakin’ right. But the trip is sooo worth the scenery: Although the rink is indoors, Clove Lakes Park boasts some of New York’s few remaining wetlands. Still too far? Take a day trip during winter break, when the rink opens form 1 to 10pm daily. Seasonal. Fri 4–10pm, Sat 1–10pm; Sun noon-4pm. Clove Lakes Park, Victory Blvd near Clove Rd, Staten Island (718-720-1010, nycgovparks.org). $8, skate rental $5.

Staten Island Skating Pavilion
The borough's only year-round ice rink is a skater's dream, offering figure-skating and hockey programs for kids and adults of all levels. Public sessions, parties and private rink rentals are also available. Open year-round. See website for holiday schedule. Fri 8–11pm; Sat 2:30–4:30pm, 8–10pm; Sun 2–4pm. Staten Island Skating Pavilion, 3080 Arthur Kill Rd between Clay Pit Rd and Shore St (718-948-4800, thepavilion.org). $10, children 12 and under $9; skate rental $5.